Archaeologists have discovered over 100 ancient jade artefacts at the Yuanbaoshan site in Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, offering insights into the origins of Chinese civilization.

Among the finds are three jade dragons, each over 5,000 years old, with one being the largest of its kind found in northern China.

These “pig-headed dragons” are linked to the Hongshan culture, known for producing some of the earliest jade artefacts as part of burial rituals, the Independent has reported.

The excavation also revealed human remains and pottery, confirming the site’s connection to the Hongshan culture, which influenced early Chinese civilization and possibly engaged in long-distance trade with other regions.

Written by B.C. Begley